"Take more interest in practical and use theory concept into practice”, Dr. K K Sharma suggests aspiring students

Interview by Sakshi Aggarwal

Dr. K K Sharma has completed a certification course on “Long Term Evolution (LTE) Networks” from Udemy, California, San Francisco, United States. He has completed Two Days Faculty Development Program on LTE Overview Program by HUAWEI Technologies and also has “Wireless Expert-GLOBAL” Certification from TELCOMA which he obtained in Dec 2016. Dr. K K Sharma has done a “Diploma in Teaching Skills for Educators” from Advance Learning Interactive Systems Online (ALISON), IRELAND in 2016 and “Diploma in Computer Networking” from Advance Learning Interactive Systems Online (ALISON), IRELAND. He is pursuing certification specialized course on “Applied Data Science with Python Specialization” from University of Michigan, USA since Oct 2016. His academic qualification also includes Ph. D. in Communication & RADAR Signal processing, apart from M. Tech. and MBA (HR).

Dr. K K Sharma has over 34 years of experience which includes working as an Associate Professor in ECE Dept, at Lingaya's University & Career Institute of Technology & Management, Faridabad, and 20 years in Indian Air Force (IAF) in the field of RADAR Navigation and communication systems.

Apart from this, Dr, K K Sharma has authored 18 books for the ECE & CSE Engineering PG/Graduate students. Few books are recommended by various National & International Govt./private Universities in their syllabus.

Dr. K K Sharma’s experience in the education industry

When I was leaving the Indian Air Force in 2003, after completing my engagement of 20 years, I had decided to join the education sector in Electronics and Communication Engineering in some university/college. I had a blend of experience in Air Force Technical College, Bangalore, (teaching theoretical subjects) and in Electronics Engineering and Installation Unit, Delhi, (Practically installation and repairing of Radar and Navigational Systems).

The education industry is not only huge; it’s also undergoing more changes recently that it has at possibly at any other point in history. Startups are sprouting to fill in gaps and create new technologies to service this increasingly lucrative field. Their contributions, coupled with innovative new ideas about what the average classroom can (and should) look like, are re-shaping what learning means for kids around the country. India, with its huge population, is the most exciting higher education market in the world. The higher education system in India has witnessed remarkable growth in the past few years. India is definitely ahead of other developed countries in the field of education and training. The number of institutes offering higher education is much more in India when compared to China and the US.

Dr. K K Sharma’s philosophy of leadership and his leadership style

As a Head of School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Lingaya’s University, my philosophy of leadership is to work in the team. I believe that a talent can win the game but a team with intelligence can win the championship. I always take the initiative to make my faculty to be updated in their technical area by providing them opportunities to attend FDP, Seminar, Workshop, etc. If my faculty staff is at par with the latest technologies used in the industries, then only they can transfer the quality knowledge to the students too.

Significant challenges faced by the Head of Department of Lingaya’s University

As a head of Electronics engineering department, I always face the challenge to update the course curriculum as per the latest technology used in the industry. Since innovation and inventions are too fast in Electronics and Communication engineering, so every time I am trying to update my curriculum. I am thankful to the management of the Lingaya’s University; they have always supported and encouraged in all the aspects of the department.

Curriculum at SOEEE, Lingaya’s University

As a head, it is my great responsibility to provide best education and learning to the students so that they should be ready to place in the good industry. Being in ECE Department, students always need to learn more and more new emerging technologies to keep them in pace with the industry. At SOEEE, Lingaya’s University, we have an academic flexibility to update or induct the new course in our curriculum as per the need of industry. We always are in touch with the related industries to know, what skill will be needed for the students, so we take feedback from industry. As and when updating/modification requires as per the industry, we do that as per the academic policies of the university. Modern state of art technology laboratory, Intel Intelligent System Lab in collaboration with INTEL. Students get the opportunity to work on latest technology such as INTERNET of THINGS (IOT). SOEEE has an FPGA Lab sponsored by INTEL for the students and faculty. SOEEE has collaboration with HUAWEI Telecom Ltd to prepare students as per the industry demand in telecom/networking field. We at SOEEE, are preparing the courses on most of the latest technologies, such as 4G and 5G, Internet of Things, Python, etc.

Growth of students through placement opportunities available at Lingaya’s University

At Lingaya’s University, we are very lucky to have a very good placement team. Our most of the students get placed on the campus itself, in reputed companies like Infosys, L&T, Aon Hewitt, Samsung, etc. The best part of our curriculum is the 6-month internship that they do in 8th semester in some reputed and related domain of electronics and communication engineering companies. A trend has been observed that our 25-30% students have been offered the job in the same company, where the student does the internship.

Dr. K K Sharma’s relationship with the students

Being the Head of the Department, it is always that if any student/staff/faculty will have any problem, it must be looked after well. Students are always welcome to meet me any time in my office. My email id/ mobile number details are circulated to all the students, so that they can discuss whenever required.

Ideal school culture according to Dr. K K Sharma

I want to create the culture of learning and teaching environment in my SOEEE. We have three technical clubs in SOEEE, namely, Micro-electronics and Embedded system design, Industrial Automation and Robotics and Internet of Things (IOT). All the students are free to join any club as per his/her choice. Under these clubs, we will be conducting/organizing workshops/expert talks/seminars/industrial visits/quizzes/project competitions, so that students will have ample of learning in the emerging area.

Top qualities, according to Dr. K K Sharma, that an aspiring engineer must possess

“An electrical engineer is a person who uses scientific knowledge to design, construct, and maintain electrical devices.” An Engineer must possess the quality of turning theoretically concept into some practical applications. As layman, I suggest that any engineer should be capable enough to solve practical problems.

A student must possess some extra skill in his/her interested field because in the current scenario industry wants that as soon as students join the company he should be able to give the output. The company does not want to wait for a longer period of training. So, it is always suggested that students should choose his area of interest and go for the specialization by acquiring latest knowledge of that area.

At SOEEE, Lingaya’s University offers the B.Tech in ECE with the specialization. We offer specializations in Telecommunication Engineering, Data Communication and Networking Engineering, Internet of Things, Embedded System Design, Industrial Automation, and Electrical Engineering.

Suggestions for the current youth and the aspiring students

The scope of electronics is increasing day by day in India. India is a developing country so the electronics are playing a vital role in country growth. Under the aegis of startup India, most of the startups are opened in the field of electronics and it will take around 2-3 years to develop these startups will grow fast around 2020. My first and last suggestion to the inspiring students is to take more interest in practical, use theory concept into practice. Keep your knowledge always a step ahead. Wish you all the best for the aspiring engineers.